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IF NIC Naitanui wasn't the biggest star in the west before Friday night, he is now.

The Fijian phenomenon took a towering mark over a huge pack with 30 seconds to go and calmly slotted a goal after the siren to send a packed Patersons Stadium into pandemonium, giving West Coast an extraordinary two-point win over North Melbourne, 12.18 (90) to 13.10 (88).

But the Kangaroos could never put the game away, falling to 3-5 for the season. They have become the first side since Fitzroy in 1978 to lose three games by under a goal in the first eight rounds of a season.

"It's obviously bitterly disappointing to lose from that position, but we didn't close it out.

"We were never able at any point of the game to put it beyond doubt, even though we probably kept them at arm's length, but we couldn't break the margin any further than that."

The crowd only had to wait 22 minutes for a showdown in the centre circle between the headline attractions, Majak Daw and Naitanui. Daw won the opening exchange with a longer reach, Naitanui the next with a bigger leap.

But Daw's night ended in the third term when he was subbed out for the fourth time in his five-game career, having had four disposals and a goal.

Sharrod Wellingham was subbed out of the game in the second term with a left ankle problem. He will have an MRI after x-rays cleared him of bone damage.

The former Collingwood onballer was just three games into his first season with his new club after missing the opening five games with a right ankle injury from a trampolining accident.

Will Schofield, who shadowed Daw when he was deep in attack, left the game during the third term with a compound dislocation of a finger. He came back in the last quarter but struggled to use his left hand. Worsfold confirmed he will have surgery to repair the damage.

Scott Thompson was reported for an off the ball incident which left Matt Rosa winded in the second term.

A free kick paid in favour of Adam Selwood was a hot topic after West Coast's win. Picture: AFL Media